The streak is over, but it just might have made Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki a better ballplayer.

Tulo’s streak of 41 consecutive games reaching bases — the longest of his career and the longest
active streak in the majors — ended Tuesday night in the Rockies’ 9-0 loss to the Rangers.

Tulo had some interesting things to say about the streak after it was over.

Asked what the key elements of his run were, he answered: “Routine probably sticks out. I was very into my routine. My focus was high. When you have a streak, you get to those third and fourth at-bats and the focus is still there, even in a blowout or things like that.

“I think that’s part of the reason, too, why I felt myself playing a little bit better. I know it’s not right to say, because you shouldn’t lose focus. But I heard A-Rod once say that his goal for a season was to be into every single pitch. So for me. it was giving me that ability to be into every single pitch when I was at the plate.

“People say, ‘Well, why don’t you do that?’ Well, it’s hard to do that. But the streak gave me something to shoot for, and this will make me a better player from it.

“I think I was better, so hopefully I can be into every single pitch and pretend that something is on the line.”

Asked what made the streak difficult to maintain, Tulo said:

“Yeah, it’s hard. When you are losing games or there’s long innings or you just can’t get that big hit, all of those things factor in … When you put your head down and run back out onto the field, or somebody grounds into a double play, you get a little frustrated. It could be yourself, and you have to get yourself back up. So that’s why this game is so hard hard. There are so many ups and downs, it’s hard to stay on an even keel.”

During the streak, which began on May 26, Tulo batted .365 (57-for-156) with four doubles, 10 home runs, 34 RBIs and 18 walks. His streak was tied for the second-longest in Rockies history, as he joined Andres Galarraga (1996-97) and Todd Helton (2007-08).

Michael Cuddyer, now with the Mets, set the franchise record by reaching base in 46 straight games from April 23 to June 30, 2013.